Welspun commissions 15 MW solar project in Rajasthan

According to reports, Welspun Energy, India’s biggest developer of solar projects, today said that it has commissioned a 15 mega-watt solar project in Rajasthan ahead of schedule.

The 15 MW solar PV project is first of the 3 projects totalling 50 MW that the company’s subsidiary had won in Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission’s second batch of projects.

The company was amongst the lowest bidders and was awarded a maximum capacity of 50 MW. The projects are coming up in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan.

“The three solar projects are expected to generate total electricity of 90 million kWh in a year,” a company statement said here.

Welspun had quoted a tariff of Rs 8.14 per unit for the first first 15 MW unit. “The remaining two projects of 15 MW and 20 MW are also close to completion and the entire 50 MW capacity will be commissioning in coming weeks, much ahead of their contractual schedule of February 26, 2013,” it said.

The 50 MW projects would produce energy enough to light up 2.5 lakh homes and reduce carbon emissions to the extent of 78,000 tons every year.

“We are pleased to bring this 15 MW solar project online much ahead of its schedule,” Welspun Energy Co-Founder & Managing Director Vineet Mittal said. “This project has been one of many where we have proved that focus on innovation is necessary to gain that extra edge. We are looking forward to becoming change agents for widespread green energy adoption and contributing to India’s growth through clean energy.”

Apart from these 50 MW project, the company had also won a 130 MW solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh, which will be the largest solar project to be developed by any company in India.

The 130 MW project would be commissioned by end of 2013, Welspun said.

The company is today nation’s biggest developer of clean energy projects. It has a portfolio of more than 300 MW of operational capacity and several hundred mega-watt under development.

Welspun Energy, a part of the USD 3.5 billion Welspun Group, is working on a portfolio of 1 GW wind and 750 MW solar capacities.

During the JNNSM’s Phase-1- Batch-2 auction, 27 bidders were awarded projects to be implemented in various parts of the country. Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of WEL, emerged as the only successful bidder for the 50 MW capacity, the maximum capacity allowed to a single bidder.